Salt Fork Arts & Craft Festival returns next weekend
The Art of the salt fork & Craft Festival brings many artists and their creative talents to Cambridge City Park. On the same subject : International companies pay attention to African music, artists. It provides entertainment during the day and food to savor while you enjoy the festivities 12-14 August. Entry is free.
Opening ceremonies will be held at the Gateway Entrance on Edgeworth Avenue at noon on Friday with music by the Caldwell High School Marching Band. The welcome will be made by several local officials before the ribbon cutting.
Stop by and see the creative work of many artists from all over the United States. There will be a wide range of work from paintings and jewelery to wood carvings and glass. Find old favorites there like Michael Warren, who creates chainsaw designs or visit Gene and Maggie Jorgensen for their jewelry. Don’t forget to check out the Student Art exhibit with over 250 pieces contributed by area students.
Visitors have the chance in the People’s Choice Tent to vote on the pieces of art they find most attractive. This is a special award as artists want to know if their work is something that many people enjoy.
Several popular groups will be returning, such as The Loves Gospel Quartet, Cambridge City Band, CHS Alumni Jazz Band, John Glenn String Sounds, Northwest Territory and the Festival Chorus. New this year for the kids will be the Madcap Puppets from Cincinnati presenting “Fantastic Fairy Tales.” Children can also enjoy Melody Stolle’s energetic storytelling.
A special feature this year will be a free workshop by the Kevin Prater Bluegrass Band. The band will be performing in the Performing Arts Tent at 11 a.m. and noon, with the workshop following at 1:30 p.m. in the park with the various instruments they use – mandolin, banjo, fiddle, guitar, bass, and even vocals. Bring your instruments for some free pointers and join them for a mini-concert after the workshop.
Ohio-made food is featured at the festival. Enjoy Candy’s Gourmet Fudge, Jose Madrid Salsa, Misty Mountain Estate, Three Blooms Flower Farm, and Crackpot Coffee. Copley Bee Co, a family of beekeepers, returns to the festival with honey in a variety of forms. Golden Boy Biscuits gives you the chance to take home some homemade dog biscuits or some dog toys for your best friend.
Local artists will be showcasing their talents while you watch. See clay pots being made, a blacksmith working over an open fire, quilters, and learn local history. Chuck and Shana Fair always attract attention as they make clay pottery and share how it is decorated. A special attraction this year will be Eli Wilson, who is demonstrating blacksmithing techniques over an open fire outside the tent. Step back in time as you watch these artists.
Another new feature will be Hilary Frambes, a plaster artist from Plain City. She enjoys painting large scale chalk murals for festivals and will be painting on the sidewalk during the festival. Children will be encouraged to enter a contest and paint their pictures with chalk.
